Thesis (f/w/x) - Point-cloud assisted indoor augmented reality tracking

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; Braunschweig; On-site; EUR 13,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

DLR Braunschweig invites you to join a student research project and final thesis on point-cloud assisted indoor augmented reality tracking. You will work on sensor fusion, high-precision localization, and real-time visualization within a team of researchers.

The work focuses on fusing a 3D scanner with a precise tracking system, establishing a unified reference frame, and comparing registration methods under industrial conditions to assess accuracy, latency, and system requirements for real-time

Qualifications

• You are studying in Computer Science or similar courses.
• Knowledge in programming, preferably in C++.
• Advanced knowledge in Realtime Computer Graphics (OpenGL, Vulkan, DirectX).
• Team player with creativity, independence and personal responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how fusing a high-resolution 3D scanner with an external precision tracking system can improve localization accuracy of AR devices in industrial environments.
• Establish a unified reference frame to synchronize and evaluate tracking and geometric data.
• Compare point-cloud-based registration methods with CAD- or mesh-based approaches, especially when real components deviate from nominal geometry.
• Analyze achievable limits in terms of accuracy and latency at high update rates.
• Evaluate robustness under realistic industrial conditions, including occlusion and surface damage.
• Examine the impact of sub-millimeter tracking accuracy on task quality, error rates and efficiency in representative use cases.
• Assess computational and architectural requirements to ensure stable real-time performance despite high data throughput.

Skills

C++

Realtime Computer Graphics

Teamwork

Education

Student in Computer Science

Tools

OpenGL

Vulkan

DirectX

Job description

Thesis (f/w/x) - Point-cloud assisted indoor augmented reality tracking

Job Description

Req ID: 5534

Place of work: Braunschweig

Starting date: By arrangement

Career level: Student research project and final thesis

Type of employment: Part time, Full-time

Duration of contract: up to 6 months

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund).

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 12,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The DLR Institute of Software Technology sees software as a catalyst for research and innovation. The institute's staff, currently numbering around 200, make a significant contribution to advancements in the fields of aviation, space, energy, transportation, and security through the development of state-of-the-art software solutions and innovative research.

Our areas of competence include reliable and safety-critical software systems, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and quantum computing, human-system interaction and visualisation, software and systems engineering as well as digital platforms and digital twins.

What to expect

This work focuses on sensor fusion and interactive visualization for industrial augmented reality (AR) applications such as maintenance, factory planning, and construction. It uses AR to overlay digital information, including Digital Twin data, onto real-world objects in controlled, semi-stationary environments. Current AR tracking and registration methods are limited to centimeter-level precision, which is insufficient for industrial use cases that require millimeter-level accuracy. In addition, CAD-based feature matching often fails when real components deviate from their ideal models due to damage or deformation. To overcome these limitations, a high-precision 3D scanner continuously captures a point cloud with sub-0.01 mm accuracy, while the AR device is tracked by a SmartTrack system with sub-millimeter precision at 250 Hz. A fixed transformation between the SmartTrack system and the 3D scanner enables localization of the AR device directly within the point cloud coordinate system. This approach achieves precise alignment between real and virtual components, high-frequency AR tracking, and a continuous, accurate representation of the observed components.

Your tasks

This work shall investigate how fusing a high-resolution 3D scanner with an external precision tracking system can improve the localization accuracy of AR devices in industrial environments. A unified reference frame shall be established to synchronize and evaluate tracking and geometric data. Particular emphasis shall be placed on comparing point-cloud-based registration methods with CAD- or mesh-based approaches, especially in scenarios where real components deviate from the nominal geometry due to wear or deformation. The achievable limits in terms of accuracy and latency at high update rates shall be systematically analyzed. The robustness of the proposed approach shall be evaluated under realistic industrial conditions, including occlusion and surface damage. Furthermore, the impact of sub-millimeter tracking accuracy on task quality, error rates, and efficiency in representative industrial use cases shall be examined. Finally, the computational and architectural requirements necessary to ensure stable real-time performance despite high data throughput shall be assessed.

Your profile

• You are studying in Computer Science or similar courses.
• You own good knowledge in programming, preferably in C++.
• Advanced knowledge and interest in Realtime Computer Graphics (OpenGL, Vulkan, DirectX)
• And you are a team player with creativity, independence and personal responsibility.

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 5534) please contact: Jan Wulkop